By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 24: Digital transformation initiatives currently adopted by the Sarawak government is expected to contribute approximately 20 per cent to the Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP) amounting to RM56.4 billion in 2030.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this can create more than 45,000 new high-paying jobs with 80 per cent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopting digitalisation.
By 2030, he emphasised, there shall be no distinction between the digital economy and the economy as a whole, as all segments of the economy will be digitally driven using information and communication technology (ICT) and frontier digital technologies.
“All government services will be easily and safely accessed online, supported by data sharing and data driven decision making to deliver more targeted policies, services and programs to businesses and communities.
“Regulations will be in place to ensure Sarawak has a safe, cyber-secure and vibrant environment to maximise digital value,” he envisioned.
To achieve that, Abang Johari said, the Sarawak government will be implementing the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 in three phases, from strengthening digital readiness by 2025, to accelerating digital transformation by 2027, and achieving a digitally-developed Sarawak by 2030.
Other than continuing to build enabling digital infrastructure to widen the coverage and provide connectivity, he said an ecosystem will be built to attract new industries focusing on international standard data centres, digital content creation, and boosting digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
He also welcomed the private sector to venture in the evolving digital economy through frontier technologies such as big data, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and immersive technology.
“In order to ensure Sarawak is cyber secure, we will establish a dedicated Cyber Security team to operationalise the Cyber Security Framework focusing on effective governance and management, legislation and policy, compliance and enforcement, research, innovation and technology industry, capacity and capability building and collaboration,” said Abang Johari in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
On a relevant matter, he said the Oxford Economics report stated that the average contribution of digital economy to the global economy will be 24.3 per cent by 2025.
He said this translates to a worldwide digital economy contribution of USD23 trillion, giving every working age person in the world an additional USD500 per year. — DayakDaily
